Her kiss was antiseptic balm
For every childhood cut and bruise
Her spit and tissue wiped away
The stains that sponge and soap refuse
She led me down her moral route
With words both soft and absolute
She was my tailor, cook and barber
My heart and soul, my home and harbour
Her shining wisdom steered me through
That treacherous maze of teenage years
She let me make my own mistakes
And cry my own repentant tears
She was my all-embracing saint
Absolved my wrongs without constraint
My faults could never strip her of
Her warmest smile, her blindest love
She was the confidant and friend
Who read my conscience in my eyes
Her humour, clever but restrained
Would often cut me down to size
When I boasted great ability
Through jest she brought humility
Allowing little vanity,
Or pride, or damned profanity!
The years and seasons take their toll;
She faded slowly into grey
As Time the thief stole youth and health
Still never could he take away
Her love of life, her love of laughter
Her dream assured of sweet Hereafter;
She was, when we bade last farewells
Just bones, and love, and little else
Her absence is my constant pain,
A gnawing hurt without relief
Her passing drew deep waters from
Unfathomable wells of grief
Yet still she saves me from despair
In smiling memories, bright and fair
She is the graceful soul who keeps
Hallowed the earth in which she sleeps